Flying from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport (BLZ): What you need to know
Planning your holiday begins with working out where you'll leave from in Johannesburg. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the city's main base, so check out your options for booking a flight from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport (BLZ) jetting off from here.
Take a direct Johannesburg to Chileka Airport flight and you'll be travelling for around 2 hours 15 minutes.
Blantyre's timezone is UTC+2, which is the same as Johannesburg. Chileka Airport is located in Blantyre.
The most popular route is from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Chileka Airport (BLZ), with 12 direct services every week. If you're looking to take off without delay, the earliest flight from JNB to BLZ is the 11:15am Airlink (South Africa) option. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 12:20pm with Ethiopian Airlines.
To ensure you catch your flight from Johannesburg to BLZ, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Heading away during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To give yourself peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport (BLZ) depart from this terminal.
When taking off from JNB, you can take a direct flight from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport with Ethiopian Airlines.
The most frequently booked airline between JNB and BLZ is Ethiopian Airlines.
The carrier with the top on-time arrival performance on this route is Airlink (South Africa).
JNB is about 29 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by staying at one of these hotels near O.R. Tambo International Airport:
Of all flights leaving O.R. Tambo International Airport, 77.1% touch down on time at their destination.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Depending on traffic, you can drive to HLA from central Johannesburg in around 50 minutes. The airport is approximately 48 kilometres away.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before your Johannesburg to BLZ flight, kick back in one of these hotels close to Lanseria International Airport:
About Chileka Airport (BLZ)
Once your flight from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport has touched down, kick back at a hotel close by. Top Lodge in Blantyre is a comfy option that's not too far from BLZ.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport (BLZ)
At the moment, $324 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $784. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book four months before your departure date. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Johannesburg to BLZ.
September is when you're most likely to land a bargain on a Johannesburg to Chileka Airport ticket. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Stay on top of deals for plane tickets from Johannesburg to BLZ by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Save money on your flight from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport by using filters. Select your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport (BLZ)
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport (BLZ). June is the most popular month to visit Blantyre. If crowds aren't your thing, think about going in April.
When booking your Johannesburg to BLZ plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. October is the warmest month in Blantyre, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
July has temperatures of between 11ºC (52ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Blantyre
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Blantyre right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Johannesburg to Chileka Airport:
Your visit to Blantyre should come with a bit of sightseeing. Major attractions you can't miss include Michiru, ISKCON Temple and Mount Soche.
Explore more of Malawi
Blantyre is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Malawi waiting to be discovered. About 225 kilometres north-west of Blantyre, a visit to Lilongwe will keep you on the go. Start with popular sights like Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanskar Kendra and Four Seasons.
Your travels through Malawi isn't complete without visiting Salima. Kuti Wildlife Reserve Main Gate is among the highlights in this destination, which is roughly 225 kilometres north of Blantyre.
